SNIPPET: Alexander Turney STEWART (1803-76) is credited with establishing the first department store in America. Born in County Antrim, he opened his first dry-goods store in New York City in 1823. The business grew rapidly and in 1862 Stewart opened the largest retail store in the world, a forerunner of today's department stores. One of the keys to his success was his specialty in importing Irish lace. As his wealth grew, Stewart became a philanthropist. He found jobs for Irish immigrants and donated to the Famine relief effort. When he died in 1876 he was one of the wealthiest men in America.